The superficial temporal artery is the last upper portion of the external carotid artery in humans. The superficial temporal artery supplies blood to the upper half of the head and extends from the ear to the temple. The superficial temporal artery is where the pulse is usually taken in the zygomatic region.
What is the superficial temporal artery?
The superficial temporal artery forms the upper portion of the external carotid artery (Latin: external carotid artery). Its German name is superficial temporal artery. It carries blood and nutrients to the upper half of the head. Thus, it directly contributes to the brain‘s functioning and efficiency. The superficial temporal artery is accompanied laterally by the superficial temporal vein (superficial temporal vein) and the ear-sleep nerve (auriculotemporal nerve). Together they form one of the most vital complexes of the human body. Starting from the superficial temporal artery, numerous other nerve, blood and venous pathways migrate. For practical medicine, the superficial temporal artery is an important indicator for determining a patient’s vital signs. This is because the vein is used to measure the pulse in the neck region. For this purpose, the pulse is palpated above the zygomatic bone. In the disease arteritis temporalis (inflammation of the external carotid artery), the superficial temporal artery may be felt as a thickened cord.
Anatomy and structure
The branch of the carotid artery called the superficial temporal artery is usually smaller than the second main branch (maxillary artery). The superficial temporal artery begins in the tissues of the parotid gland (Latin: parotid gland). The first branches start just behind the collum mandibulae, a bony section of the articular process of the mandible. From there, the vein continues into the area of the external carotid artery. Shortly thereafter, there is a crossing with the processus zygomaticus, a bony segment of the zygomatic bone. This crossing area is overlapped by small cutaneous muscles of the body that open up in the area of the ear muscles (so-called Musculus auricularis anterior). The entire trajectory of the superficial temporal artery is accompanied by the superficial temporal vein (superficial temporal artery) and the auricular nerve (auriculotemporal nerve). The following other branches originate from the superficial temporal artery:
- The transverse facial artery (Latin: arteria transversa faciei). It takes its course below the zygomatic arch. Its function is to supply the parotid gland, the facial skin and the masseter muscle (Latin: Musculus masseter).
- The middle temporal artery (Latin: Arteria temporalis media). An artery whose purpose is to supply the temporalis muscle (Latin: temporalis muscle).
- The so-called zygomatic orbital branch (Latin: Ramus zygomaticoorbitalis), which supplies the eyelids and the eye ring muscle (Latin: Musculus orbicularis oculi).
- The anterior branches of the ear (Latin: Rami auriculares anteriores). They are the most important supplier of the external auditory canal and the pinna.
- The frontal branch (Latin: ramus frontalis). This is one of the two terminal branches in the area of the forehead.
- The parietal branch (Latin Ramus parietalis), which supplies the parietal region with arterial blood and nutrients.
Function and tasks
As a branch of the maxillary artery (carotid artery), the superficial temporal artery performs indispensable functions in the field of blood supply. Through it, the entire head area (including all organs that are present there) is supplied with arterial blood and nutrients. Without the artery, a human being is not viable. Since the Arteria temporalis superficialis is already located in the area of the zygomatic bone, it enables a comprehensive conduction. It thus performs the function of a branched fine distribution system. Individual subregions of the head are supplied by the individual blood vessels that branch off from the superficial temporal artery. These include
- The parietal region including the entire forehead area,
- The eyelids and the eye ring muscle (Musculus orbicularis oculi),
- The temporalis muscle (Musculus temporalis),
- the facial skin as well as
- The masseter muscle (Musculus masseter)
Diseases
Inflammation of the superficial temporal artery can occur, especially in older people. Often this disease is also called by the technical term arteritis temporalis. Also common are the names Horton’s disease, cranial arteritis and Horton’s syndrome. This inflammation of the aorta carries a 20 percent risk of blindness. This is because the disease can cause a significant undersupply of the optic nerves. However, arteritis temporalis can be easily controlled by prompt and early therapy. Women are 2 to 6 times more frequently affected by giant cell arteritis than men. Sufferers suffer from severe headaches that are mainly concentrated in the temple area. Diagnosis is made by ultrasound and tissue samples. Treatment is by various cortisone preparations. It is common to prescribe a dose of one milligram per kilogram of body weight during the first four weeks of therapy (e.g., 75mg for 75 kg of body weight). This dose is continuously reduced as therapy progresses. As symptoms recur, the dose is adjusted upward.
